GWU: Police increase campus patrols during sex assault investigation

Published: Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 02:24 PM.

BOILING SPRINGS – Police are stepping up their patrols at Gardner-Webb University as they work to identify a suspect in a sexual assault reported this week on campus, officials said Thursday.

On Wednesday, the university reported that an alumna said she was raped at about 9 p.m. Tuesday near the Lake Hollifield Complex on campus.

After an interview with the alleged victim, officials released a brief description of a suspect Wednesday. He reportedly had a beard and a Southern accent.

“Utilizing surveillance video from the campus apartments, police said there were a few individuals who were in the vicinity around the same time frame as the attack,” officials said in a release from the GWU communications office. “They were able to see which apartment building those people went to and plan to go door-to-door to collect additional information that could assist the investigation.”

University officials said they hope to interview the victim again Friday and release more information on the case as it becomes available.

Authorities urge people to contact GWU campus police at 704-406-4444 with any information related to the case. Calls will remain anonymous and confidential.

Campus officers plan to double their nighttime patrols on campus, and Boiling Springs Police Department officers are helping with safety in the community, officials said in the news release.

BOILING SPRINGS – Police are stepping up their patrols at Gardner-Webb University as they work to identify a suspect in a sexual assault reported this week on campus, officials said Thursday.

On Wednesday, the university reported that an alumna said she was raped at about 9 p.m. Tuesday near the Lake Hollifield Complex on campus.

After an interview with the alleged victim, officials released a brief description of a suspect Wednesday. He reportedly had a beard and a Southern accent.

“Utilizing surveillance video from the campus apartments, police said there were a few individuals who were in the vicinity around the same time frame as the attack,” officials said in a release from the GWU communications office. “They were able to see which apartment building those people went to and plan to go door-to-door to collect additional information that could assist the investigation.”

University officials said they hope to interview the victim again Friday and release more information on the case as it becomes available.

Authorities urge people to contact GWU campus police at 704-406-4444 with any information related to the case. Calls will remain anonymous and confidential.

Campus officers plan to double their nighttime patrols on campus, and Boiling Springs Police Department officers are helping with safety in the community, officials said in the news release.

University officials are urging students to be more aware of their surroundings following the sexual assault report.